HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !

JOIN US AS WE TAKE TO THE TRACK IN PORSCHE'S CAPABLE 718 CAYMAN GT4... PAT GOSS HAS USED CAR TIPS FROM SOMEONE WHO KNOWS JUST THE FAX... WE'LL HEAD TO OKLAHOMA WHERE THE ALTERNATIVE FUELS COME SWEEPING DOWN THE PLAIN... AND WE'LL SEE WHAT'S NEW WITH NISSAN'S TITAN FULL-SIZE PICKUP...

SO COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

* Announcer: MOTORWEEK , 40 YEARS, STEERING YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

John: THERE ARE NO SHORTAGE OF OPTIONS, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A FUN PORSCHE TO HIT THE TRACK WITH; SOME MUCH MORE SERIOUS THAN OTHERS.

WELL, DON'T LOOK NOW, BUT WE MAY HAVE FOUND OUR NEW FAVORITE!

* WHILE, FINDING COMMON GROUND IN OUR WORLD TODAY SEEMS HARDER AND HARDER TO DO; I THINK...WE CAN ALL AGREE RIGHT OFF THE BAT THAT THIS 2020 PORSCHE 718 CAYMAN GT4 IS A VERY SPECIAL PIECE OF PERFORMANCE ENGINEERING.

THE CENTERPIECE, LITERALLY IN THE CASE OF THE MID-ENGINE 718, IS INDEED THE ENGINE.

IT'S UNFORTUNATE, AS YOU CAN'T REALLY SEE IT, BUT TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT, THE 4.0 LITER NATURALLY ASPIRATED FLAT-6 MAKES ALL THE RIGHT MOVES.

THAT INCLUDES REVVING TO 8,000 RPM FOR 414 HORSEPOWER AND 309 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

IT MAKES ALL THE RIGHT SOUNDS TOO, THANKS TO AN ALL-NEW SPORT EXHAUST SYSTEM.

THE WHOLE SETUP IS SO GLORIOUSLY RESPONSIVE, IT MAKES US WANT TO START A CAMPAIGN TO BAN ALL TURBO ENGINES.

IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A 6-SPEED MANUAL GT TRANSMISSION; THOUGH, IF YOU INSIST ON A PDK, HOLD OFF A FEW MONTHS, AS IT WILL COME EVENTUALLY.

THIS PARTICULAR CAYMAN'S STORY BEGINS WITH THAT ORIGINAL PORSCHE BOXSTER, OR 986 THAT ARRIVED FOR 1997.

IT DELIGHTED OUR DRIVERS WITH ITS NIMBLE MANEUVERS; OFFERING BETTER BALANCE THAN ANY REAR-ENGINE PORSCHE EVER DID.

AND THIS WAS IN A SOFT-TOP ROADSTER.

IT TOOK PORSCHE NINE YEARS TO OFFER A TRUE HARDTOP VERSION, BUT THE CAYMAN WAS WELL WORTH THE WAIT; BEING AN ABSOLUTE BALL TO DRIVE, WITH PERFORMANCE THAT CLOSELY SHADOWED THE 911, BUT WITH THE STRIPPED DOWN PERFORMANCE CAR ATTITUDE OF THE BOXSTER.

THIS GT4...IS OF COURSE, THE HIGHEST PERFORMANCE VERSION OF THE CHASSIS YET.

AND IT'S SUCH A CLEAN AND GORGEOUS DESIGN; LOOKING MORE LIKE A 911 THAN THE ACTUAL 911, OR EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT A PORSCHE TO LOOK LIKE.

IT SITS MORE THAN AN INCH LOWER THAN A STANDARD CAYMAN, AND AERO ADD-ONS SUCH AS DIFFUSER AND FIXED REAR WING APPLY 50% MORE DOWNFORCE, WITHOUT UPPING DRAG.

LIKEWISE, INSIDE THE ALCANTARA-CLAD INTERIOR, EVERYTHING IS SIMPLIFIED AND PURPOSEFUL.

THERE ARE NO CONTROLS ON THE SPORT STEERING WHEEL.

THERE ARE CARBON FIBER BUCKET SEATS WITH MINIMAL ADJUSTMENTS, AND FABRIC PULLS FOR OPENING THE DOORS.

UNDERNEATH, THE FRONT AXLE'S SUSPENSION COMES STRAIGHT FROM THE 911 GT3, WHILE THE REAR GETS A UNIQUE SETUP; ALL ALLOWING FOR A LOT MORE ADJUSTMENTS THAN IN THE STANDARD CAYMAN.

IT'S NOT EXACTLY A HANDFUL ON THE STREET, BUT IT CAN BE A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE AT TIMES.

THE STIFF SUSPENSION, CONSISTENT WITH THE RATHER HARD SEATS.

BUT, WHEN YOU GET TO THE TRACK, IT ALL MAKES SENSE.

EVEN WITHOUT PDK LAUNCH CONTROL, LAUNCHING IS RELATIVELY EASY WITH JUST A MINOR SLIP OF THE CLUTCH AND OFF YOU GO, HITTING 60 IN A QUICK 4.0 SECONDS FLAT.

THE FIRM CLUTCH, AND SOLID MECHANICAL FEEL OF THE SHORTENED SHIFTER, MAKE GEAR CHANGES A HIGHLY SATISFYING PART OF THE QUARTER-MILE EXPERIENCE; COMPLETED IN 12.3 SECONDS AT 115 MILES PER HOUR.

AND DID WE MENTION HOW AWESOME THIS THING SOUNDS?

OF COURSE, ROAD COURSE WORK IS WHERE IT'S DESIGNED TO EXCEL, BEING THE PLATFORM ON WHICH THE GT4 CLUBSPORT RACECAR IS BUILT.

SO THAT CALLED FOR A TRIP TO ONE OF OUR FAVORITE VENUES, SUMMIT POINT MOTORSPORTS PARK IN CHARLESTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA.

YOU DON'T GET BIG HITS OF POWER OUT OF CORNERS, SO IN THAT WAY, IT'S SORT OF A MOMENTUM CAR; BUT THE WAY IT DELIVERS POWER, PREDICTABLE AND LINEAR, IS A VISCERAL JOY TO EXPERIENCE.

AROUND THE VERY CHALLENGING SHENANDOAH CIRCUIT, WE FOUND BALANCE SUPERB.

IT HAS ENOUGH GRIP AND COMPOSURE TO BE THROWN INTO CORNERS QUITE AGGRESSIVELY; AND WHILE THE REAR END WILL BREAK LOOSE, IT'S IN AN EASILY CONTROLLED AND PREDICTABLE MANNER, HELPING YOU ROTATE THROUGH THE CORNER, NOT SLIDE AROUND IT.

THOSE FIRM SEATS KEEP YOU LOCKED IN PLACE AND PREVENT EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF SLIDING AROUND INSIDE TOO.

LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT THE CAR, STEERING IS SPOT-ON PERFECT IN BOTH FEEL AND RESPONSE.

AND IF YOU CAN FIND A STRAIGHT LONG ENOUGH, YOU CAN REACH THE TOP SPEED OF 188 MILES PER HOUR.

AT MORE ROUTINE SPEEDS GOVERNMENT FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS ARE 16-CITY, 23-HIGHWAY, AND 19-COMBINED; WE AVERAGED 18.6 MPG ON PREMIUM.

ONE MORE NUMBER.

$100,550 IS THE GT4'S BASE PRICE.

THE 2020 PORSCHE 718 CAYMAN GT4 MAY NOT BE THE FASTEST PORSCHE OUT THERE, BUT FOR MANY DRIVERS THAT CAN'T POSSIBLY APPROACH THE LIMITS OF SAY...A 911 GT3, THE PERFORMANCE-FOCUSED GT4 IS A MUCH BETTER FIT, AND MAYBE EVEN A LITTLE MORE FUN FOR ALL OF US!

* THE FREEDOM TO HIT THE OPEN ROAD HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE CENTER OF OUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE AUTOMOBILE.

BUT FOR SOME DRIVERS AND FLEET OPERATORS, TRYING TO CHOOSE A VEHICLE POWERED BY A CLEANER DOMESTIC FUEL LIKE NATURAL GAS OR ELECTRICITY HAS MEANT LIMITING THAT FREEDOM DUE TO GAPS IN THE NATIONWIDE FUELING AND CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

WELL, THAT IS RAPIDLY CHANGING AS MORE AND MORE MAJOR HIGHWAYS, AND ROADS ARE BEING DESIGNATED ALTERNATIVE FUEL CORRIDORS, KNOCKING DOWN THE FINAL BARRIERS FOR MAKING CLEAN FUELS THE BEST ALTERNATIVE NO MATTER WHERE THE ROAD TAKES YOU!

* THE NATIONAL ALTERNATIVE FUEL CORRIDOR NETWORK INCLUDES PARTS OF 220 HEAVILY TRAVELED INTERSTATES AND HIGHWAYS IN 49 STATES AND DC, COVERING MORE THAN 145,000 MILES.

ONE VITAL LINK, THE MICHIGAN TO MONTANA I-94 ALTERNATIVE FUEL CORRIDOR, OR M2M, IS THE RESULT OF A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN CLEAN CITIES COALITIONS AND CRITICAL GOVERNMENT, AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS, LIKE THE GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE, THROUGHOUT THE MIDWEST.

FUNDED IN PART BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, IT RUNS 1500 MILES ALONG INTERSTATE 94 FROM PORT HURON, MICHIGAN AT THE CANADIAN BORDER, ALL THE WAY TO BILLINGS, MONTANA.

IT PASSES THROUGH THE MAJOR CITIES OF DETROIT, CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE, AND MINNEAPOLIS, BUT ALSO COUNTLESS SMALL TOWNS, AND MILES UPON MILES OF ROLLING FARMLAND.

THE M2M CORRIDOR IS A VITAL LINK FOR LONG-HAUL TRUCKING AS WELL AS A PRIME MOVER FOR EXPANDING THE USE OF PROPANE, BIODIESEL, ETHANOL, NATURAL GAS, AND ELECTRIC WITH REGIONAL FLEET OPERATORS.

Samatha Bingham: THIS PROJECT AND PROJECTS LIKE IT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, HELP THOSE FLEETS TO EXPAND THEIR USE OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS, TO USE IT ALONG MORE ROUTES.

AND THEN ALSO, IT HELPS ENCOURAGE FLEETS THAT AREN'T USING ALTERNATIVE FUELS CURRENTLY, THEY CAN SEE THAT THESE ROUTES ARE SUPPORTED, AND THAT IT ENCOURAGES THEM TO ADOPT ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES, AND SWITCH OUT THEIR PETROLEUM-BASED VEHICLES.

John: COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS IS AN AFFORDABLE AND ABUNDANT U.S. SOURCED FUEL THAT CAN HELP TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GASES, AND OTHER HARMFUL EMISSIONS.

OZINGA'S RED STRIPED TRUCKS ARE A COMMON SIGHT AROUND CHICAGO AND NORTHWEST INDIANA, AND SINCE 2013, THE COMPANY HAS BEEN CONVERTING ITS FLEET OF 500 READY-MIX TRUCKS TO RUN ON CNG.

AT THE SAME TIME, IT EXPANDED ITS OWN BUSINESS TO BECOME A REGIONAL NATURAL GAS FUEL PROVIDER, NOW OPERATING SEVEN PUBLIC-ACCESS CNG STATIONS IN THE AREA, WHICH MAKES IT MORE PRACTICAL FOR OTHER FLEETS WHO WANT TO SWITCH TO CNG.

PROPANE IS ANOTHER POPULAR ALTERNATIVE FUEL OPTION, ESPECIALLY WITH FLEETS.

ALONG THE ALTERNATIVE FUEL CORRIDORS, UNIFORM SIGNAGE NATIONWIDE INDICATES WHICH TYPE OF FUEL IS MOST PLENTIFUL.

BUT IN OUR 3,000 MILE TREK FOR THIS STORY, WE FOUND THAT WORD OF MOUTH TRAVELS FASTER STILL.

Tim Rahn: AND THERE ARE VEHICLES OUT THERE.

WE'VE GOT 10 OR 15 PEOPLE THAT STOP EVERY SINGLE WEEK.

COMING THROUGH, GOING TO THE CABIN, COMING HOME, AND THEY SUPPORT US, THEY KNOW WE HAVE IT, IT'S EASY TO USE, IT'S SAFE TO USE, AND IT'S CHEAP.

THE LAST THREE MONTHS WE'VE BEEN 80, 80 TO 85 CENTS A GALLON CHEAPER THAN REGULAR GASOLINE.

IT WAS A DIVERSITY, IT'S SOMETHING THAT NOBODY ELSE HAS IN THIS AREA, AND WE WANTED TO BE THE FIRST TO HAVE IT.

John: SCHWAN'S FROZEN FOODS HAS A FLEET OF MORE THAN 600 PROPANE-FUELED DELIVERY VEHICLES AND HAS ALSO BUILT OUT THEIR OWN FUELING INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT SMALLER FLEETS, LIKE GROOME TRANSPORTATION, ARE ALSO REAPING THE BENEFITS OF THE M2M CORRIDOR.

Scott Hayes: BEFORE, WHEN WE RAN DOWN TO MINNEAPOLIS, WE WOULD RUN OUT ABOUT HALFWAY UP, SO NOW WITH THIS CORRIDOR BEING BUILT OUT, IT'LL GIVE US MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO FILL UP WITH PROPANE AND WE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RUN CLEANER, LONGER.

John: ALSO INCLUDED IN THE ALTERNATIVE FUEL CORRIDOR DESIGNATIONS IS THE AVAILABILITY OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS, ESPECIALLY FAST-CHARGING, CONVENIENT TO THE INTERSTATES.

THE EV CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN EXPANDING RAPIDLY FOR THE PAST DECADE.

AT THE FAR END OF OUR JOURNEY, IN FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, THREE NEW FAST-CHARGING SITES ARE COMING ONLINE, HELPING TO MAKE FRONTIER DESTINATIONS LIKE THESE, ONCE CONSIDERED REMOTE, MORE ACCESSIBLE AND CONVENIENT FOR EV DRIVERS.

Chad Brousseau: IT'S A WIN-WIN, WE'RE A MEMBER-OWNED ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, NOT FOR PROFIT, SO IT'S GOOD FOR THE MEMBERS, GOOD FOR US, UH, NOT ONLY IS IT ELECTRIC SALES FOR CASS COUNTY ELECTRIC BUT AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCE, CAN BE A MONEY-SAVER FOR THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE OWNER IN REDUCED OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COSTS.

John: IN THE DRIVE TO CURB EMISSIONS AND MAKE AMERICA LESS DEPENDENT ON IMPORTED OIL FOR TRANSPORTATION, SPURRING DEVELOPMENT OF CLEANER ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES AND BUILDING OUT A NATIONAL NETWORK OF CONVENIENT FUELING POINTS FOR NATURAL GAS, PROPANE, HYDROGEN, AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES GOES HAND IN HAND.

Samantha: ALSO, THE M2M CORRIDOR REALLY DEMONSTRATES THAT CITIES AND STATES, AND UTILITIES, AND FUEL PROVIDERS, AND RETAILERS CAN ALL WORK TOGETHER, ACROSS STATE LINES TO MAKE THIS INFRASTRUCTURE, THIS CLEAN FUEL INFRASTRUCTURE, AVAILABLE.

John: THE MICHIGAN TO MONTANA ALTERNATIVE FUEL CORRIDOR PROJECT IS FAST MAKING THESE FUELS A FINE FIRST CHOICE FOR EVERYONE!

RIGHT NOW, THERE IS A STRONG DEMAND FOR GOOD USED CARS BUT AS PAT GOSS IS ABOUT TO TELL US, BEFORE YOU BUY, YOU NEED TO GET THE FACTS.

* Pat Goss: BUYING A USED CAR CAN BE YOUR BEST VALUE BUT YOU NEED TO DO RESEARCH TO MAKE SURE THAT IT TRULY IS A GOOD VALUE.

AND TO GIVE US SOME POINTERS, WE HAVE EMILIE VOSS FROM CARFAX.

EMILIE WELCOME TO GOSS'S GARAGE.

Emilie Voss: THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE.

Pat: ALRIGHT...NOW, WHAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS THAT YOU RUN ACROSS AS FAR AS USED CARS ARE CONCERNED.

Emilie: IT'S IMPORTANT, WHEN YOU'RE BUYING A USED CAR TO KNOW THE VEHICLE'S HISTORY AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS, WE SEE IS ODOMETER FRAUD.

I THINK...A LOT OF PEOPLE, THERE'S A BIG MISCONCEPTION THAT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

THAT THERE ISN'T ODOMETER MANIPULATION WITH THE DIGITAL ODOMETERS BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION ESTIMATES ABOUT 450,000 CARS ARE SOLD EACH YEAR WITH SOME SORT OF ODOMETER ROLL BACK AND THAT COSTS CONSUMERS ABOUT ONE BILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY.

SO, THOSE NUMBERS ARE STAGGERING, PAT.

Pat: YEAH...ABSOLUTELY.

AND THERE IS THIS MISCONCEPTION LIKE YOU JUST MENTIONED THAT YOU CAN'T ROLL BACK A DIGITAL ODOMETER BUT THAT'S COMPLETELY WRONG.

Emilie: IT IS COMPLETELY WRONG, AND SO AS A CONSUMER, IF YOU ARE BUYING A USED CAR THERE IS A COUPLE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO TRY AND PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST THAT.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE MATCHES THE MILEAGE READING.

AND ONE OF THE GOOD WAYS TO DO THAT IS TO HAVE A MECHANIC INSPECT THE VEHICLE.

SOMETIMES, THEY CAN NOTICE THINGS THAT DON'T ADD UP.

MAYBE, SOMETHING HAVE MORE WEAR AND TEAR THAN WHAT THE MILEAGE READING IS SAYING.

ALSO, CARFAX HAS A FREE TOOL WHERE YOU CAN CHECK THE ODOMETER READING TO SEE IF THERE'S BEEN ANY RECORDED MANIPULATION AND ALSO ON THE CARFAX VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT YOU CAN SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING FLAGGED FOR A POTENTIAL ODOMETER ROLLBACK OR INCONSISTENCY.

Pat: CRITICAL INFORMATION.

EMILIE THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Emilie: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

Pat: ALRIGHT, TAKE CARE.

AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR A COMMENT, DROP ME A LINE, RIGHT HERE AT MOTORWEEK .

[CAR DOOR CLOSES] John: TIME TO HIT THE START BUTTON ON SOMETHING NEW WITH A FRESH BATCH OF QUICK SPINS.

* TIME FOR A VERY QUICK SPIN IN THE 2021 MAZDA3 2.5 TURBO; MAZDA'S LATEST ATTEMPT TO PUT EVEN MORE VROOM, IN THEIR ZOOM-ZOOM.

IT COMES COURTESY OF THE CX-9'S 2.5 LITER I4 TURBO.

BUT, IT'S NOT AN EXACT ENGINE SWAP, AS IT WOULDN'T QUITE FIT IN THE MAZDA3'S ENGINE BAY.

MAZDA TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION TO INSTALL A NEW INTAKE WITH AIR-TO-WATER INTERCOOLER.

THIS ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO NOT ONLY BUILD TORQUE A LITTLE MORE QUICKLY THAN BEFORE, BUT TO DELIVER IT MORE CONSISTENTLY; THOUGH ULTIMATELY OUTPUT NUMBERS STAY THE SAME; 250 HORSEPOWER AND 320 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

MAZDA STUCK WITH JUST A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, TO AVOID THE CONSTANT GEAR HUNTING OF SOME RIVALS, AND PACKED MAZDA'S IACTIV ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE ALONG WITH IT, AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE 2.5 TURBO.

ALSO INCLUDED, IS AN UPDATED VERSION OF G-VECTORING CONTROL PLUS, WHICH GOES A LONG WAY TOWARDS ELIMINATING UNDERSTEER TO PROVIDE AN EVEN MORE REWARDING DRIVING EXPERIENCE.

Brian Robinson: MORE POWER?

YES.

AM I HAPPY ABOUT THAT?

ABSOLUTELY, YES.

BUT MAZDA HAS GONE TO GREAT LENGTHS TO NOT JUST ADD MORE POWER, BUT CREATE A BETTER OVERALL DRIVING EXPERIENCE IN THE 2.5 TURBO.

YOU WANT TO GET ON IT, IT WILL GO LIKE NO OTHER MAZDA3 BEFORE IT.

BUT IF YOU WANT TO RELAX AND CHILL, IT DOES THAT EQUALLY WELL, IT'S NOT HYPER AT ALL, VERY SMOOTH AND REFINED.

IT SAYS, IT ALL THAT THEY BENCHMARKED PORSCHE AND BMW ENGINES WHEN IT CAME TO THE TUNING OF THIS TURBO.

John: MINOR CHANGES TO THE SUSPENSION HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE, MOSTLY TO DEAL WITH THE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT OF THE ENGINE; BUT ULTIMATELY STIFFENS EVERYTHING UP JUST A LITTLE BIT.

THE 2021 MAZDA3 2.5 TURBO IS TRULY THE RIDE MAZDA ENTHUSIASTS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.

ARRIVING BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, SEDAN PRICING STARTS JUST UNDER $30,000; ADD ANOTHER $1,000 FOR THE 5-DOOR HATCHBACK.

Greg Carloss: THE WEATHER MAY BE TURNING COLDER, BUT IT'S NEVER TOO SOON TO GET READY FOR SPRING WITH THE 2021 BMW 4-SERIES CONVERTIBLE.

OBVIOUSLY, BASED ON THE 4-SERIES COUPE, THIS 4-SEAT DROP-TOP SHARES THE COUPE'S BIG GRILLE IN YOUR FACE STYLING, PREMIUM DRIVER-ORIENTED COCKPIT, AND POWERTRAIN OPTIONS.

THAT MEANS, A 430I WITH 255 HORSEPOWER 2.0 LITER TURBO-4, AND M440I WITH 382 HORSEPOWER 3.0 LITER INLINE-6 TURBO.

BOTH WITH 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND AVAILABLE XDRIVE.

Jessica Ray: AND LIKE, THE 4-SERIES COUPE, BMW'S 48-VOLT MILD-HYBRID SYSTEM COMES STANDARD IN THE MORE POWERFUL M440I.

THAT WILL HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE LOAD ON THE ENGINE WITH THINGS LIKE DECELERATION AND BRAKING, AND WILL HELP MAKE THE CONVERTIBLE MORE EFFICIENT.

Greg: THE BIGGEST CHANGE IS THE SHIFT FROM HARDTOP TO SOFT-TOP, WHICH BRINGS THE OBVIOUS BENEFITS OF LESS WEIGHT AND MORE STORAGE SPACE.

Brian: LESS WEIGHT IS SOMETHING I ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR WHEN IT COMES TO BMW; THEY'VE USED A LOT OF ALUMINUM AS WELL, FOR THE BODY PANELS AND THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, AND EVEN THE STRUCTURAL BRACING FOR THE CONVERTIBLE.

SO, IT SHOULD PROVIDE THE TYPICAL FANTASTIC BMW DRIVING EXPERIENCE.

Greg: THE 2021 BMW 4-SERIES CONVERTIBLE WILL BEGIN ARRIVING STATESIDE IN MARCH; WITH PRICES STARTING AROUND $54,000.

AND WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE COMING UP SOON ON MOTORWEEK .

[CAR HORN BEEPS] John: THIS TROPICAL 1975 VOLKSWAGEN SUPER BEETLE CONVERTIBLE IS OUR MOTORWEEK 40TH ANNIVERSARY CAR OF THE WEEK.

WESLEY LEACH FROM SEA CLIFF, NEW YORK HAS EXERCISED HIS BUG'S 1.6 LITER REAR MOUNTED ENGINE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE FOR OVER 33 YEARS.

SUBMIT PHOTOS OF YOUR RELIABLE RIDE FOR CAR OF THE WEEK CONSIDERATION TO... * Greg: WE'VE REACHED THE 16,000 MILE MARKER ON OUR JOURNEY WITH THIS 2020 HYUNDAI PALISADE 3-ROW CROSSOVER.

IT'S HARD TO THINK OF A BETTER LONG-DISTANCE ROAD TRIP VEHICLE AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW; THOUGH ONE WAY TO MAKE IT EVEN BETTER WOULD BE SOME WIDER DOOR POCKETS FOR ALL THOSE ITEMS THAT WE SEEM TO ACCUMULATE ON THE VOYAGE.

BUT, THE LARGE, TWO LEVEL CENTER CONSOLE GOES A LONG WAY TO MAKE UP FOR IT.

John: WHEN FRIENDS FIRST SEE THIS PALISADE, THEY ALMOST ALWAYS THINK IT'S FROM A LUXURY BRAND AND ARE VERY SURPRISED TO FIND OUT IT'S A HYUNDAI.

THEY REALLY LIKE THE UPSCALE INTERIOR.

AND I HAVE TO ADMIT THE EMBOSSED DOOR TRIM AND SEAT PANELS REALLY DO SAY HIGH STYLE.

Greg: AS FOR FUEL ECONOMY, WE'RE AVERAGING 23.0 MILES PER GALLON AND THAT'S BEEN FAIRLY CONSISTENT THROUGH THE 12-MONTHS, WE'VE TAKEN UP RESIDENCE IN THIS PALATIAL 3-ROW UTILITY.

AS WE KEEP TRUCKING ON INTO ANOTHER WINTER WITH THE PALISADE, WE'RE PRETTY CONFIDENT IT CAN HANDLE WHATEVER MOTHER NATURE HAS IN STORE.

BUT FIRST, WE HAVE TWO MORE UTILITIES TO CHECK IN ON, THE KIA SELTOS AND MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV, ON THE NEXT MOTORWEEK LONG-TERM ROAD TEST UPDATE!

John: UNLESS YOU'RE HEADQUARTERED IN DETROIT; THE FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK SEGMENT IS A TOUGH PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NOW, TOYOTA HAS BEEN THE MOST SUCCESSFUL AT MAKING INROADS WITH THEIR TUNDRA, BUT NISSAN'S TITAN IS LABORED TO BE SEEN AS A SERIOUS PLAYER.

NOW, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE NOT TRYING HARDER, WITH AN UPDATED 2020 TITAN.

* 2020 WILL CERTAINLY GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE MOST "INTERESTING TIMES" IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.

MOST THINGS AS WE KNOW THEM HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGED.

SO, YOU COULD SAY THIS UPDATED 2020 NISSAN TITAN FITS RIGHT IN.

WE FIRST MET THE TITAN WHEN IT ARRIVED ON THE FULL-SIZE PICKUP SCENE FOR 2004.

IT SHOWED UP WELL-EQUIPPED, WITH STANDARD V8 POWER, ALMOST A FOOT MORE LENGTH THAN THE TOYOTA TUNDRA, AND A HOST OF WELL THOUGHT OUT FEATURES.

WE PRAISED ITS SPACIOUS AND MODERN CABIN, AND NOTED THE ALL-ALUMINUM V8 WAS READY FOR SOME HEAVY WORK.

THAT TRULY MUST HAVE BEEN THE CASE, AS 16 YEARS LATER, IT'S STILL GETTING THE JOB DONE.

NOW, WELL INTO THE TITAN'S SECOND GENERATION, WHICH ARRIVED FOR 2016, THE ENDURANCE 5.6 LITER V8 GAINS 10 HORSEPOWER TO A NICE EVEN 400.

TORQUE GAINS ARE MORE SIGNIFICANT, JUMPING FROM 394 TO 413 POUND-FEET OTHER BRANDS MAY HAVE MORE POWERFUL OPTIONS AVAILABLE, BUT THAT'S THE MOST STANDARD HORSEPOWER, YOU'LL FIND IN THE FULL-SIZE TRUCK RANKS.

MORE SIGNIFICANT, IS AN ALL-NEW 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

WITH MORE POWER FROM THE ENGINE AND MORE GEAR RATIOS IN THE TRANSMISSION, WE HAD HIGH HOPES HEADING TO OUR TEST TRACK.

NISSAN DIDN'T MENTION A NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM TO GO ALONG WITH IT, IT SURE SOUNDS A LITTLE RASPIER TO US, WITH NOTICEABLY MORE LOW-END GRUNT.

BUT, THAT DIDN'T TRANSLATE TO FASTER TIMES.

IT FELT QUICK OFF THE LINE, AS THE REAR TIRES HOOKED UP FAIRLY WELL, AND POWER STARTS TO REALLY COME ON WHEN IT HITS SECOND GEAR.

STILL, OUR 0-60 TIME OF 7.7 SECONDS WAS FOUR/TENTHS SLOWER THAN OUR LAST TITAN 4X4 TEST.

SMOOTH AND QUICK SHIFTS FROM THE 9-SPEED MAKE UP SOME OF THAT TIME THROUGH THE QUARTER; 16.0 SECOND AT 94 MILES PER HOUR; JUST TWO/TENTHS OFF FROM BEFORE.

LIKE, MOST EVERYTHING ELSE WITH AN EMPTY BED ON THE BACK, THERE'S COPIOUS BODY ROLL AND A LIGHTNESS TO THE REAR END.

BUT, OVERALL IT WAS NOT TOO SHABBY THROUGH THE CONES.

STEERING WAS HEAVY AND OFFERED A GOOD AMOUNT OF FEEL.

AN AVERAGE STOPPING DISTANCE OF 128 FEET FROM 60 IS NOT BAD AT ALL FOR A FULL-SIZE PICKUP.

THIS UPDATE ALSO MEANS SOME EXTERIOR ENHANCEMENTS.

NEW LED LIGHTING ALL AROUND, INCLUDING IN THE BED, DIFFERENT WHEEL DESIGNS, AND A FRESHENED FRONT BUMPER.

THE GRILLE GETS A NEW LOOK AS WELL, OR LOOKS ACTUALLY, AS ALL TRIMS GET THEIR OWN UNIQUE THEME, WHICH MEANS LOTS OF CHROME FOR OUR SL TESTER.

THE SL AND TOP PREMIUM RESERVE TRIMS COME AS CREW CABS ONLY WITH A 5.5 FOOT BED; BASE S, SV, AND OFF-ROAD READY PRO-4X ARE AVAILABLE WITH EXTENDED KING CABS AND A LONGER 6.5 FOOT BED.

FOLLOWING A DISAPPOINTING TREND FOR TRUCK MAKERS, NISSAN HAS ELIMINATED THE REGULAR CAB TITAN.

THE AVAILABLE TOW PACKAGE FOR OUR SL 4X4 MAKES SURE YOU CAN SAFELY PULL THE MAXIMUM OF 9,210 POUNDS, STICK WITH 2-WHEEL-DRIVE, AND YOU CAN UP THAT TO 9,350 POUNDS.

WITH ITS FULLY-BOXED LADDER-TYPE FRAME, SOLID AXLE LEAF SPRING REAR SUSPENSION, SUBSTANTIAL STABILIZER BARS, 9.8 INCHES OF GROUND CLEARANCE, AND TWIN-TUBE SHOCK ABSORBERS, THE TITAN CAN CERTAINLY TAKE A BEATING OFF ROAD.

TITAN IS ALSO A LEADER WHEN IT COMES TO STANDARD SAFETY; THEIR SAFETY SHIELD 360 INCLUDES AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING FOR BOTH FRONT AND REAR.

LETTING MORE OF THE OUTSIDE IN, IS A LARGER AVAILABLE MOONROOF.

OTHERWISE, FEWER CHANGES TO THE OVERALL COMFORTABLE INTERIOR THAT LOOKS AND FEELS A LITTLE BEHIND THE TIMES COMPARED TO THE BIG-THREE, WHICH HAVE ALL GONE THROUGH EXTENSIVE REDESIGNS RECENTLY.

DEPENDING ON TRIM, IT APPEARS TITAN BASE PRICING HAS TAKEN A HUGE JUMP; IT'S MOSTLY THE RESULT OF ELIMINATING THE REGULAR CAB VERSION.

A BASE S KING CAB STARTS THINGS OFF AT $37,785, WITH TOP PLATINUM RESERVE CREW CAB COMING IN AT $57,085.

FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE IS $3,200 MORE.

WHILE, THE JURY IS STILL OUT ON NISSAN BECOMING A SERIOUS FULL-SIZE TRUCK PROVIDER IN THE U.S., THE BRAND JUST ANNOUNCED THEY WILL END TITAN SALES IN CANADA THIS YEAR.

WE HOPE THAT IS NOT AN OMEN FOR US.

BECAUSE, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE BIG-THREE, WITH RUGGED LOOKS AND THE ABILITY TO BACK THEM UP, THE 2020 NISSAN TITAN HAS MOUNTAINS TO OFFER, AND IS SERIOUSLY WORTH A CLOSE LOOK.

WELL, THAT'S OUR SHOW, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.

NOW FOR MORE MOTORWEEK ; INCLUDING DAILY NEWS UPDATES, PODCASTS, AND EVEN COMPLETE EPISODES, CRUISE ON OVER TO PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME, FOR A SUBARU CROSSTREK WITH A LITTLE MORE PEP IN ITS STEP.

THEN, IT'S A TASTE OF DROP TOP LUXURY IN THE LEXUS LC500 CONVERTIBLE.

TIL' THEN, I'M JOHN DAVIS, WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE ON MOTORWEEK !

Announcer: TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE, VISIT... * Announcer: THIS PROGRAM WAS PRODUCED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, WHICH IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.

[SOUND OF CAR ENGINE REVVING] *